Families gather for grand return of Food and Drink Festival

Families and foodies alike flocked to Solihull for the grand return of the Solihull Food and Drink Festival last weekend ahead of a dinosaur takeover of the town centre.

Visitors to the Solihull BID organised event were treated to delicious street food and captivating cooking demonstrations from the likes of the nation 's favourite cook Ainsley Harriott, Solihull 's own Michelin Star chef Glynn Purnell and Laura Adlington, finalist on Great British Bake Off 2020.

Music lovers filled the high street to listen to a mix of reggae and ska music in the Rum & Reggae zone, accompanied by the irresistible smell of BBQ and jerk chicken.

The kids were kept entertained by the Gastronaut, known for his fun shows on BBC and CBBC, arts and crafts specialists Creation Station, and a range of roaming entertainment. The arrival of baby dinosaurs and Zeus the giant T-Rex also turned Mell Square into a mini Jurassic Park.

Smiles and sunshine swept across Solihull on an extremely busy weekend with businesses and the public alike lauding the event as the best Food & Drink Festival to date.

Melanie Palmer, chief executive of Solihull BID, said: “We were delighted to see the town centre filled with people thoroughly enjoying the festival atmosphere.

“The event has also helped to raise the profile of everything the town centre has to offer all year round and attracted a new audience from our competitor towns, and now we roar into Octobersaurus! ”

Dinosaurs will be returning to Solihull town centre throughout Saturdays in October. On October 2, 9 and 16, kids and adults alike will be able to witness the wonders of the dinosaur kingdom.

Take that perfect selfie in the dino egg, roar with a giant T-Rex, scream with a Spinosaurus and run with a Raptor. The little ones can even learn how to become a Dinosaur Ranger themselves!

You can also follow the dinosaur jungle trail across Solihull town centre, find all ten stickers, stick them into your trail booklet, and then spell out the dino-themed word to enter the BID 's competition to win a £200 toy voucher!

Activities will take place across the town centre including Mell Square, High Street and Touchwood.

For more information on Solihull BID events and activities, visit their website: https://solihullbid.co.uk/